1. In 1905, the Nevada State Legislature passed a bill that allowed gambling in the state. This paved the way for Nevada to become a major destination for gamblers and led to the development of Las Vegas as a casino town.

2. On February 27, 1930, Nevada's "Divorce Mill" law went into effect, allowing people to obtain a divorce in just six weeks. This law made Nevada a popular place for people seeking a quick divorce, and helped to boost the state's economy.

3. In 1951, the U.S. government detonated the first atomic bomb test at the Nevada Test Site on February 27. The test, code-named "Ranger," was part of a series of nuclear weapons tests conducted in the area during the Cold War.

4. Las Vegas was officially incorporated as a city on February 27, 1911. At the time, the city had a population of just over 800 people. Today, Las Vegas is home to over 650,000 people and is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.

5. February 27 is also the birthday of famed aviator Howard Hughes, who was born in Houston, Texas in 1905. Hughes lived in Las Vegas for several years in the 1960s and is credited with helping to modernize the city's hotel and casino industry.